NBC
John C. Fremont Days
Contents
John C. Fremont Days 2010
First Lutheran Church played host once again to the John C. Fremont Days ballooning events, July 9-11, 2010. The weekend 's events began even before Friday night's scheduled Balloon Glow, as Rich Jaworski and Matt Fenster launched from the field, heading northwest across town. Both returned after the flight, to join fellow NBC balloonists Ron Dobesh, Matthew Grote, Jim Gunhus, Steve Lacroix, Wayne Mohring, Tom Peterson, and Jeff Reid for the Balloon Glow at sunset. Ron Dobesh tethered Blue Taz for the crowd, while NBC members Phil Cowles, Jill Johnson, and Ray Grote set up the Balloon Walk, entertaining over 200 children.
Saturday morning brought beautiful weather, with light south winds on the surface and 25 mph southwest winds at 900 feet. Balloonmeister Rich Jaworski called a Hare and Hounds task, dropping part of the target X on a gravel drive north of Arlington. Nearly all of the balloonists were able to reach the target, with Matthew Grote's drop good for first place. Shortly after all the balloons had landed safely, the brisk winds dropped to the surface, and remained there for the balance of the weekend.
John C. Fremont Days 2009
John C. Fremont Days ballooning events on July 10-11, 2009 once again took place at First Lutheran Church, 3200 East Military Road in Fremont, NE. Events included a Friday night Balloon Glow with participation of eight balloons, and a competition flight Saturday night that crossed right over town. Balloonmeister Rich Jaworski called for three tasks, two Judge Declared Goals that proved beyond the reach of most pilots, and a team Hare and Hounds.
Photo courtesy of Sid Ellis
Once again, thanks to Jim Henry, the John C. Fremont Days committee, and members of the Fremont area REACT team for making the balloon event a success for the third consecutive year.
John C. Fremont Days 2008
The seemingly unrelenting series of storms that have lashed eastern Nebraska this year paused long enough to allow the balloons to return once again to John C. Fremont Days on July 11-12. Although the forecast called for severe thunderstorms on Friday evening, an unforseen calm descended and allowed five balloons (and one basket) to assemble for a glow on the lawn of First Lutheran Church. This new location seemed to be a hit with both spectators and balloonists, as crowds assembled both on the church grounds and along the adjoining roadways. When the field opened, adults and kids of all ages flocked to get close to Lacroix's Propane Addiction, Gunhus' Yellow Bird, Dobesh's Blue Taz, Grote's Jester Unwindz, and Jaworski's Euphoria. Peterson chose not to inflate, but instead helped a long line of kids get an up-close view of the inside of a balloon basket. The storms held off until well after sunset, allowing time to safely pack away and head for the propane line.
Photo courtesy of Sid Ellis
Saturday morning's weather held remnants of the previous night's turbulent winds, so the flight was called for that evening. Seven pilots, now including Wayne Mohring in Wild Goose and Alan Paul in Cloudhopper II would be chasing Rich Jaworski as the hare. Although the winds were still gusting during the 7PM pilot's briefing, the signs were good that things were calming down. Balloonmeiser Jaworski held the task open until the last minute, starting his inflation just before 8PM. Jim Gunhus was sidelined at the last minute, but the remaining field soon took to the skies in a northwest breeze that varied from over 20mph at 700 feet to 5-6 at the surface. Rich dropped off his crew and the X between two fields for the first target, then flew on to a landing in a sod farm, soon joined by Grote, Peterson, Paul, and Dobesh. Mohring and Lacroix, sticking to the task, overflew Rich's basket, made their drops, then went on to road landings near sundown in calm winds.
The NBC wishes to thank the John C. Fremont Days organizers, and in particular, Jim Henry, for their hard work to bring about this second annual return of the balloons to their event. We look forward to many more years to come.